Seed-distributer.



No. 857,195. PATBNTED JUNE is.. 1907. F. R.. PACKHAM.

SEED DISTRIBUTER;

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5, 1907.

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F. R.. PAGKHAM.

SEED DISTRIBU'I'ER.

` APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5, 1'907.v A

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P. R. PAGKHAM. SEED DISTRIBUTER. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6, 1907.

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PTENTED JUNE 18, 1907.

' f. R. PAGKHAM. SEED DISTRIBUTBR. APPLOATION :FILED IAN. 5, 1907.

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10.857.195 PATENTED JUNE Is, 1967.

f P. R. PAGKHAM.

SEED DISTRIBUTER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5, 1907.

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ofi/MIS F. R. PAGKHAM. SEED DISTRIBUTER. APPLIQATION FILED JAN. 5, 1967.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

FRANK R. PACKHAM, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR 'IO THE AMERICA-N` SEEDING MACHINE COMPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OI-IIC.

T0 @ZZ whom t may con/cern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK R. PACKHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seed-Distributers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means for distributing grain, such as wheat, oats, flax, beans, etc. It is particularly adapted for use with grain drills of all ordinary types.

The object of the invention is to arrange the distributing devices so that they shall have capacity to sow a great variety of seeds,-seeds that vary in size and character,.such as wheat andoats regarded as medium size grains; small seeds, such as flaxseed; and Lima and kidney beans which are probably among the largest sown bv grain drill machinery. In this connection it should be remembered that very often ordinary grain, such as wheat, is subjected to treatment for special purposes which changes the character of the seed so that when I speak of wheat and oats I speak of those seeds in normal condition. By my invention the grain drill is adapted to sow a great variety of seeds, and the arrangement is such that the operator of the machine can readily set the mechanism by referring to a chart for any particular kind of seed. A

In a general way, I have arranged one set of mechanism for adjusting the machinery for the character of seed to be sown, and I have provided mechanism for adjusting-the devices for different quantities of each particular kind of grain, and by Jfurnishing a chart comprising a plurality of series of figures arranged in columns the operator can by referring to the chart determine how to adjust both for the character of the seed and for the quantity to be sown. The arrangement is simple, since I employ only one set of figures for the adjustment of the character of'grain to be sown, and a single set of figures for the .adjustment for the quantity to be sown, and

there is little or nothing about the mechanism to confuse the' operator.

It will be seen that my improvement re-l lates particularly to what are known as force feeds, and in these kinds of feeds the carrying element in forcing the seed through the distributer co-operates with its walls to put the seeds in the proper state of compres- Speccation of. Letters Patent..

Application med January 5,1907. serial Nalsoeos;

SEED-DISTRIBUTEB.

' Patented June 18, 1907.

speed of the carrying element are to bemade and with great variations in speed this compression of the seed becomes a very important element to consider.

It becomes apparent that while the'distributer may be formed for one particular kind of grain which will be eective with all the desirable ring of changes in the speed of the carrying element, it is an entirely different matter when this distributer is used for feeding a different kind of seed. I have discovered that the necessary compression in the feeding of this new kind of seed cannot be produced by relying upon changes in the speed of the carrying element. It becomes necessary to reorganize the structure for the distinct varieties of seed already mentioned, so that the distributer will be adapted vto each particular variety in a manner that the changes of speed, made within fixed limits, will always cause the proper compression to insure the best results. These changes in speed are necessarily within fixed limits; for the customary dimensions of the parts of the change of speed machinery will not permit an unlimited number of changes.

By utilizing two independent adjustments, one effecting a ring of changes in the speed of the carrying element, and the other, while in no way affecting the speed of the carrying element, in effect rendering the co-operative element best adapted to produce through the varying force, exerted by the carrying element in all the usual changes in its speed, the necessary compression, I am enabled to 'produce a system which in combination with a chart is extremely simple and yet effective for all kinds of sowing grain.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1-is a perspective view of the distributing mechanism showing the hopper of the machine in part and the chart or key for the various adjustments located on the hopper immediately above the distributing mechanism. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a set of distributing devices and the indicator for the adroo section on line .r of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a detail view of a distributer wheel and valve mechanism-of another type commonly used.

`Fig. 10 is a rear view'of this distributer.

Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14 are views of the valve showing four different positions of said valve. Fig. 15 is a side view of a distributer of the Iluted feed type. Fig. 16 is a detail view of the parts of said distributer. Figs. 17, 1.8, 19 and 20 are detail views showing the adjustments in four different positions. Fig. 21. is a detail of the mechanism for adjusting for different quantities. Fig. 22 is a'detail showing the indicatonfor the lastmentioned adjusting device.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

ln the drawings, the drivingshaft,` which shaft is lusualljT operated direct by the carrying wheelsof the machine, (not shown) is indicated by c. This shaft is journaled loosely in bearings, al, supported from the frame of the machine. The adjusting mechanism for providing for the varying quantities of the grain to be sown consists of a disk` a2, having its hub keyed to the shaft, a, so that the disk will rotate in unison with said shaft but is capable of longitudinal movement independent of the shaft. This is the ordinary change of speed disk commonly` used in some types of grain drill, andthe disk'is held in normal position by a spring (not shown) which is located. within the hou sing A hand lever, a4, is Aarranged in the usual way for moving the disk longitudinally against the tension of the spring. I do not attempt to explain in detail these parts because the construction isfamiliar to anyone acquainted with grain drill mechanism.

The vertical shaft, e5, is suppjortedby the sleeve, a6, (see Fig. 1 and this shaft supports a beveled pinion, a8, which is sliding] y mounted on the shaft, a5, anda stirrup, c, engages the hub yof the beveled pinion in the usual way, so that when the change of speed disk, (L2, is thrown out of normal position the beveled -gear may be adjusted to different positions for the purpose of providing for the 'different quantities of grain to be sown.

The stirrup, a, is formed with figures which constitute an indicator, (Fig. 1) which indicate the different .positions the beveled gear may assume onthe vertical shaft, e5, corresponding with the number of concentric rows of teeth on the disk, which in this case are thirteen. A pinion, a7, isrig-idly secured on the upper end of the vertical shaft, a5, and motion is transmitted from the disk, a2, through the beveled gear, a, to said pinion, and this pinion is shown in mesh with the beveled gear, al, which is j ournaled securely on the feed shaftal.. The feed shaft extends transversely across the machine and is supported loosely in bearings formed in the frame-work of the machine, and the arrangement is such that motion is transmitted through the pinion, a7, and beveled gear, al", to said feed shaft. There is shown in series five distributers on this feed shaft, a, but. it is very common to construct these machines with as many as twenty-two or twenty-four distributers, depending on the size of the machine.

Referring to Figs. 2 to 8 there is shown a distributing device of an ordinary type now in Vuse comprising a Wheel, b, ofthe internal flange type journaled on the feed shaft, a, and arranged to rotate in unison therewith. The wheel is surrounded by a casing and will act in the usual Way as a force feed to carry the grain through the distributer. The grain is fed to the hopper, b1, (see Fig. 7) of the distributer, and from the hopper through the measuring channel, b2, until it reaches the discharge orifice shown in Figs. 3 to. In this particular type of internal ange distributer I have shown a valve, b3, fully def scribed and explained in the patent issued to A. F. Mills, No. 813,054, dated February 20th, 1906. The link, b4, (Fig. 2) is pivotally connected to the rock arm, b5, which is rigidly secured to the shaft, cl2, and the indicator, bs, (Fig. 2) is secured to said shaft, c. A single series of figures 6 7, is shown in register'with the indicator, and these figures are graduated as l, 2, 3 and 4, thereby indicating four different positions that the valve may assume. This indicator b, is adapted to spring into engagement with the notches on the dial in the usual way. The intermediate marks are for slight adjustments to provide for grain that varies in cleanliness. For instance, it is often desirable to make a slight adjustment for grain that is exceedingly dirty, but the numerals, 1, 2, 3 and 4 indicate normal adjustments for normal grains.

It is manifest that since the object of the lever and connecting mechanism just de scribed is for the purpose of locating the cutofi` valves, b", and since the disk wheel with the various rows of teeth may be used solely for the purpose of obtaining quantity after thesaid valves, b3, have been located with reference to their adaptability to the different sizes of seed, that said lever and connections may be dispensed with and means provided on each seed distributer for individually or ,separately making the adjust ment for adaptation to the grain or seed; it being understood that it is customary to makesuch adjustment but once and that IIS vIo

b", extending from the casing'of the distribu-v ter, and a rock arm, (im, projects from the rock shaft, ai, (see Figs. 1 and 10) and has a slide formed at its free end which engages la pin bu, extending from the hook-shaped arm bs, and the parts are so arranged that when the rock shaft, cl2, is oscillated all the valves, bg, are operated by the connecting arms b1". Figs. 11,12, 13 and, 14 disclose four different positions for this valve. In Fig. 12 it is shown in a position adjusted for seed of an exceedingly small character, such as iiax= seed, whi e in Fig. 13 it is shown adjusted for ordinary grain, such as wheat; in Fig. llvvit is shown adjusted for beans; in Fig. 14 it is shown adjusted for oats.

Referring to Figs.v 15 to 20, there is shown the ordinary iuted feed distributing devices wherein the distributing wheel is indicated by the reference letter 612. The casing for the distributer (Fig. 15) is marked 613, and the formation of the casing is substantially as that shown in Fig. 7.' Fig. 17 shows the mechanism adjusted for sowing exceedingly small grain, such as -flaxseed 3 Figs. 18, '19 and 20, for wheat, oats and beans. In this device, the distributing wheel is shifted by any ordinary mechanism, but by devices that are well known in the art it may be connected to the rock shaft, (L12, in substantially the same manner as that shown in Fig. 1, so that whenever the rock shaft is moved the flange feed wheel will be shiftedtoproper position for the particular character ofr-grain to be sown. It matters not .what particular type of variable throat distributing device is used or what type of valve mechanism is used therein, it will only be necessary to adjust the feeds in order to adjust for any particular kind of seed, which are indicated by cutoff dials conveniently arranged, and this adj usting mechanism in combination with the adjusting mechanism for the quantities of seed to be sown, and taken with the chart, will provide a very wide range of adjustment for the seeding devices.

Referring now to the chart (Fig. 1) it is apparent that I have selected four types of grain which have distinct characteristics that have to be provided for in any comprehensive distributing mechanism, and have appropriated spaces to each type. I have shown at the left end of the-chart three sen ries of figures which relate to sowing of flax.

` The rst column of figures indicates the different adjustments that the operator should make for the quantity, or, in other-words, the adjustment of the change of speed device. Referring to this first column of figures, 1 indicates that the adjustment is such that the indicator plate', a9, is dropped until the figure 1 on that plate engages the pointer The next column indicates that if the operator adjusts the cut-off valve, b, to a position suchv that it will register with the numeral 1 on the cut-off dial he will then be able to sow ten quarts of Iax to the acre. Now referring to the last'line in the column, if the operator adjusts the indicator rod, a9, to a point where the notch 6 will register with the pointer leaving the cut-off dial indicating 1, he [will then bel able to sow twenty quarts of flax. Therefore it will be seen that I can first adapt the orifice to the size of the seed,-say iiaxseed; the dimensions of the discharge orifice being shown as especially adapted to a forceful discharge of this seed,

. and maintained for the usual ring of change for quantity, the efficiency of which is not lessened as in the old method where the valve was changed each time a different quantity was desired. For it must be observed that it is a fact that but' one sized opening produces the greatest eiiiciency in forcefulness, which in grain` distributers me'ans an accurate amount for each revolution ofthe seed wheel. V quantity (except for slight variations for dirt and swollen grain) is obtained by means ofthe speed of the wheel or equivalent device.

Now referring to the series of figures showing the adjustments for wheat, it is apparent By this manner the that by adjusting the cut-off dial to a differf will beable to sow from sixteen quarts of wheat in progressive amounts as high as sixty-four. For oats, I have discovered that by adjusting the cut-0H dial to indicate 3 on the cut-off dial, my system will permit the machine to be adjusted for sowing from thirty-two quarts in progressive amounts as high as one hundred and twenty-eight to the acre. For beans, by placing the indicator of the cut-off dial at the numeral 4, and making the ring of changes of the indicator rod, a9, the machine can sow from eighteen quarts to sixty-seven.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. A seed distributing mechanism for grain drills comprising a plurality of seed distributers, including' a rotating carrying element for the seed, means for varying the size of the opening through which said seed is adapted to pass, driving mechanism for IOO IIO

said distributers, and means for varying the speed of said distributers from said driving mechanism, an indicator for the distrlbuter varying element and an indicator for the grain drills, a plurality of distributers, each comprising a casing, distributingwheel and measuring channel, means for adjusting the sizeof said measuring ,'channel, and means for adjusting the speed of=the distributing wheel, indicators for each of-said adjusting means, `each of-said indicators vbeing =pro vided with a singleseries of figures co-oper- `ating therewith, anda chartcomprisinga plurality of figures-adapted to indicate the amount of seed sown bythe mechanism for each combination ofsaidadjusting mechanism, substantially as specified.

3. In a seed distributing mechanism, the combination of a driving shaft, variable speed mechanism connected to said shaft,=a series of distributers including distributing wheels, casings for said-wheels vhaving discharge orifices, means for varying-the said discharge orifices for dierent kinds of seed, and means lfor operatingthe variable speed devices'for varying the quantity sown, indicators for each 4ofsaid variable devices,one of said indicators indicating the character of seed and the other indicatingthel quantity sown, and a-table or chartto'be read with said indicator comprising ,a plurality of Aiigures forthe different Acombinations of said indicators, substantially as specified,

4. In a-seed distributing mechanism for Agrain drills, the combination of a plurality of dicates also the results of the combination both'as tothe character of the seed andthe quantityto be sown, substantially as specified.

5. In a seed distributing `mechanism for graindrills, the combination of aplurality of `seed distributing devices including a rotating carrying .element vfor the seed, .a cut-ofi' mechanism for; adjusting for different characters of seed, andspeed-adjusting mechan- `ism'for varyingfthe quantities of seed fed by the carrying element, an indicator for 4the first-mentioned mechanism, an indicatorfor f the second-mentioned speed mechanism, Veach 4lndicatorlbeing provided :with a row of indicating points, and meansco-operating with the seed distributing mechanism for in- ;di-cating the proper adjustments of the cut- Off mechanism and the speed adjusting mechanism in accordance with the character of the seed to'be sown.

6. In a seed distributing mechanism for 'grain drills, alplurality of distributers, each y,comprising a casing, distributing Wheel and measuring channel, meansfor adjusting the size of `saidmeasuring channel,and means for adjusting the speed of the distributing Wheel, indicators for each of said adjusting means, each of said indicators being providedwithA a single series of figures co-operating therewith, and tabulated means having-separate spaces for each character of grain, each space appropriated tor one posi- -tion of adjustment of said measuring channel and co-operating with said speed adjusting mechanism 'to indicate lthe varying amount ofgrain sown, substantially as specilfied.

Initestimonywhereo I have hereunto set my hand this `2nd day of January, 1907.

, FRANK R. 4IACKHAM. Witnesses:

CHAS. I. 'WELCIL CLARA GALLAGHER. 

